Method of manufacturing building-blocks.



No. 787,199. PATENTED APR.11, 1905.

y D. W. LLOYD.

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING BUILDING BLOCKS.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 10, 1904.

UNTTEE STATES katentect April 11, 190 5.

PATENT @EETCE.

DAVID \V. LLOYD, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787.199, dated April 11, 1905.

Applicatioi filed November 10, 1904. gerial No. 232,084.

To 11/7 who! if may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID \V. Ltovo, a citizen of the Fnited States, residing at littslmrg,

in the county of .\llegheny and State of Penn 7 sylvania, have invented certain new and uscful Improvements in Methods of Man'ufactur- 1 ing BuildingBlocks. of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this SPOClllCiltlOli, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section through a mold used in my improved method of manufacturing buildii'ig-blocks. Fig. is a perspective view of the entire block as molded therein. Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the block after having been severed. Fig. i is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the-application of a modified form of severing-frame.

Fig. 5 is a partial similar view showingone side of the molded block with one of said frames Fig. 6 is a similar incorporated therewith. view showing the frame and a portion of the face of the block as having been detached by severing. Fig. T is a detail view of one of such frames. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1,

showing the use of a modified form of severing-frame. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the molded block and portions of the apparatus, illustratii'ig the operation of severing.

.\Iy invention re fcrs to an improved method of manufacturingliuilding-blocks of concrete, cement, or similar substance, and refers particularly to the means for severing a singlymade double block so as to provide a line of natural fracture closely approximating and resembling the natural face of broken rock.

The invention consists generally in molding a double block originally in anysuitable molding apparatus provided with a supportingfloor and sides or ends 3, between which the block is formed in the usual manner. The interior dimensions of the molding-flask are such as to contain the entire double block, and for the purpose of facilitating fracture thereof after the molding operation I employ a suitable dividing device or frame and have shown in the drawings several different constructions adapted to this purpose.

In Fig. l I have shown an ordinary dividing-partition L, which may consist simply of l the somewhat soft raw material.

l a thin bar of metal inserted along the top and bottom and both ends of the block, so as to form therein an original groove 5. After the block is partially hardened itis separated upon this line by any suitable means and will break apart, as shown in Fig. 3, leaving the roughened naturally-severed faces, as shown, a smooth border or margin surrounding the face of the block conforming to the outline of the dividing-partition. \Yhere it is desired to exaggerate the projecting face of the block, I employ frames 6, (shown in detail in Fig. 7,) having a supplemental inwardly -exteuding flange 7 and an outer deeper parting-flange 8, two of such frames being set closely together in the formation of the original block. After the blocks have been separated by fracti'u'ing through the central part this frame is then forcibly removed from each side and will carry with it an additional portion of the block, as indicated in Fig. 6, leaving the remaining pro jecting portion adhering thereto.

For the purpose of more accurately insuring the positive cleavage truly around the parting-line formed by the frame] have secured excellent results by the form of frame shown in Figs. 8 and 9, wherein it is provided with inner beveled faces 9, so that when the two frames are inserted in the mold together face to face, as shown, they provide a V-shaped groove surrounding the block, which insures a true cleavage at the outside, but leaves the interior line of fracture indeterminate, so as to secure the same desirable results already described. The frame as thus made with the beveled faces 5) produces a corresponding beveled face around the outcr edges of the block, and a small parting-bead may be used to advantage in the frame to define the width of such beveled portion, the block cleaving therefrom through the middle portion upon opening the frame. For the purpose of gently breaking the block in two I. have made the bottom of the flask 2 in two corresponding sections, as indicated, so that by raising upwardly by a lover or pry-bar l 1., the weight of the block resting upon each side, it will come apart by its own weight without any jar ring, unnecessary strains, or disfigurement of fter having been thus severed the frames may be removed, and the blocks are set aside to harden and will assume an appearance closely resembling natural stone.

It will be understood that any number of blocks may be made from a single block by properly designing and using the dividingframes, although for ordinary purposes I prefer to make the blocks double. thereby providing flat rectangular backs, sides, and ends, best adapted for incorporation in a building structure. It will be understood that I do not desire to be limited to any particular form of flask, mold, or parting-frame, but that the method may be utilized by the use or substitution of any suitable devices or means for the purpose within the province and judgment of the skilled mechanic, and that all such are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

iVhat I claim is 1. The method of manufacturing buildingblocks of concrete or similar material consisting in molding a single block within a suitable flask provided with separable and detachable groove-forming devices adapted to be embedded in the block, separating the block at the parting-line formed by said devices, and finally removing the groove-forming devices from the block, substantially as set forth.

2. The method of manufacturing buildingblocks of concrete or similar material consisting in molding a single block within a suitable flask provided with separable grooveforming devices, separating the block at the parting-line formed by said devices, and finally removing the groove-forming devices from the block together with a portion of the severed block, substantially as set forth.

3. The method of manufacturing buildingblocks of concrete or similar material consisting in molding a single block within a suitable flask and upon a separable supportingbase with separable and detachable grooveforming devices adapted to be embedded in the block, then breaking the block While green upon a line of fracture corresponding with the groove formed by said devices, substantially as set forth.

1. The method of manufacturing buildingblocks of concrete or similar material consisting in molding a single block within a suitable flask and upon a separable supportingbase with separable and detachable grooveforming devices adapted to be embedded in the block, and then raising the meeting edges of said base to cause the block to sever by gravity while green, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

DAVID W. LLOYD.

Witnesses J AS. J. MOAFEE, (J. M. CLARKE. 

